Giants' David Wilson to have neck surgery

Before hurting his neck against the Eagles on Oct. 6, David Wilson had 146 yards rushing and a touchdown on the season.

As much as he would like to count on having David Wilson next season as the Giants' No. 1 option in the backfield, general manager Jerry Reese admitted Thursday he can't.

And while both Reese and team president and co-owner John Mara are holding out hope the player once seen as the franchise's future at running back can return to form, there remains uncertainty about Wilson's status as he prepares to undergo neck surgery, which is scheduled for Jan. 16 at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

The procedure will be a fusion of vertebrae to repair the herniated disk in Wilson's neck and a clearer prognosis and possible timetable as far as Wilson's availability for training camp should be available following an evaluation afterward.

"Our medical staff thinks he will be ready to play this year," Reese said Thursday on WFAN, noting that issues dealing with the neck can be "tricky."

Wilson and the Giants preferred to avoid surgery and give the herniated disk time to heal with rest and treatment, but that was considered the less likely of two scenarios for a complete recovery.

It is believed having the procedure now gives the Giants' 2012 first-round draft pick the best chance to get back on the field this fall.

"I think you can't go into the season saying, 'Well, David, he'll be healthy and ready to go,' " Reese said. " … We're just trying to get him healthy and get him back out there. That's what's most important for us right now, to get him healthy."

Wilson played in the first five games this past season, starting four of them, but he was injured in that fifth game, Oct. 6 against the Eagles.

He was benched by Tom Coughlin after losing two fumbles in a season-opening defeat in Dallas.

The former Virginia Tech star has also been diagnosed with spinal stenosis.

"We're hopeful that David will be able to play for us again next year," Mara said on WFAN, acknowledging the Giants would likely have to draft a running back in the upcoming draft. "Time will tell on that one."